Fate and Transport of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel

The Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel (SDWSC) is an important habitat for multiple species that have been declining in population in the California Delta such as delta smelt and longfin smelt. Currently, both populations are just a fraction of what their populations used to be in the 1970’s and have shown minimal signs of recovery. Multiple factors have been attributed to their decline in populations such as channelization, lack of freshwater flow, nutrient limitations, and contamination, yet in important habitat such as the SDWSC, the understanding the risk aquatic organism have to contaminant exposures is minimal. To understand what types of contaminants are present in the channel and the chemical partitioning in the environment, we analyzed 66 hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in multiple environmental matrices including total sediments, zooplankton, and suspended solids, and ran Tenax extractions on a subset of sediment samples to estimate the bioaccessibility of the sediment-associated compounds. Samples were collected from six different sites spread longitudinally across the channel. To understand the effects of ship-induced resuspension on contaminant exposures, we also collected samples at one site on the SDWSC closest to the Port of West Sacramento and sampled before and after three ships passed through the site. Turbidity measurements and total suspended solids (TSS) were collected during each sampling event. For the longitudinal sampling, no overlying significant differences in concentrations per site were observed, however the northern sites and southernmost site tended to have higher concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). 4,4’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, and chrysene were found in every sample. The highest contaminant concentrations were extracted from the suspended solids, with PAHs being the most prevalent class of compounds. Bioaccessible concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), pyrethroids, and PAHs were extracted from the sediments, showcasing a risk of contaminant uptake to aquatic organisms. The highest concentrations of four compounds extracted from the sediments exceeded sediment quality benchmarks, however despite sediments exceeding sediment quality benchmarks, the suspended solids-associated contamination were significantly higher than what was extracted in the sediments, which indicates that the water column may be more of a concern than the bed sediments. For ship traffic sampling, turbidity measurements after ship passage were significantly higher. TSS concentrations increased after ship passage, with a significant increase after the second ship. Total sediment concentrations decreased after the passage of the second ship, as well as the bioaccessible concentrations after the second or third ship, but these trends were not reproducible across the different sampling events. The inconsistencies in effect of contaminant concentrations may show that effects are ship-specific, and that the lack of overall change may show that individual ship passage contributes to the maintenance of steady state in the system. The compounding effect of frequent ship activity is more of a concern than the effects of individual ship passage

Natural Language interface with household devices

The advent of smart homes has transformed everyday living by integrating household deviceswith advanced automation systems. A significant challenge lies in enabling seamless, natural interactions between users and these devices. This research investigates the design and implementation of natural language interfaces (NLI) for household device control, focusing on two distinct approaches: persona-based and command-based interactions.Through a comparative study, this thesis explores the trade-offs between user engagement, efficiency, and system performance in natural language interactions. The persona-based model provides an immersive, conversational interface, offering users a more human-like interaction with smart devices, while the command-based model prioritizes straightforward, task-oriented commands, optimizing for speed and simplicity. The study evaluates both models based on user satisfaction, task completion time, and overall system effectiveness. Experimental data from user testing and surveys will be analyzed to determine which model provides a superior user experience and better meets the needs of a smart home environment. The results aim to provide insights into the ideal design for natural language interfaces in household device control, with implications for future smart home systems and human-computer interaction.This research contributes to the field of human-computer interaction and smart home technology by providing a comprehensive comparison of interaction models, offering practical recommendations for the development of next-generation NLI systems in household automation

INFLUENCE OF WATER MANAGEMENT AND HYDROGEL USE ON ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL HERB GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY IN AN EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF ENVIRONMENT

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OFHunter Christenson, for the Master of Science degree in Plant and Soil Science, presented on February 28, 2025 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.TITLE: INFLUENCE OF WATER MANAGEMENT AND HYDROGEL USE ON ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL HERB GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY IN AN EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF ENVIRONMENTMAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. S. Alan WaltersUrban agriculture is becoming increasingly important to provide sources of local food for urban residents. Extensive green roofs can be used to provide spaces for local agriculture in these urban environments, although extreme moisture and temperature conditions typically found in these systems can often be challenging for urban crop production. Therefore, two experiments were conducted on the Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (SIUC) extensive green roof that is located on top of the agriculture building. The first experiment evaluated the effects of a polyacrylamide hydrogel at 3 rates (0, 28, and 85 g per experimental unit), mulch (none and pine bark mulch), and irrigation frequency (1 L water per week or every two weeks per experimental unit) on the growth and productivity of two basil (Ocimum basilicum) varieties (‘Compact’ and ‘Italian Large Leaf’). The second experiment evaluated the effects of a polyacrylamide hydrogel at 2 rates (0 and 85 g per experimental unit), mulch (none and pine bark mulch), and irrigation frequency (1 L water per week or every two weeks per experimental unit) on the vigor, growth, and overwintering ability of two perennial culinary herbs, sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). For the basil experiment, weekly irrigation increased late-season plant vigor by 16%, fresh weight by 37%, and dry weight by 47% compared to biweekly watering. The use of pine bark mulch improved basil fresh weight by 19% and plant vigor by up to 32% compared to no mulch. Hydrogel application rates of 28 g and 85 g improved basil plant height by 42% and 32%, respectively, compared to no hydrogel, although no other growth parameters were affected.For perennial herbs, sage had greater vigor, overwinter survival, and overall suitability for extensive green roof environments compared to thyme. Sage exhibited a 96% overwinter survival rate, 15% higher than thyme, and 32% greater late-season plant vigor. Hydrogel application at 85 g reduced overwinter vigor by 22%, which was likely due to substrate heaving caused by hydrogel swelling, although survival rates were unaffected. Weekly irrigation increased late-season perennial herb vigor by 19% compared to biweekly watering, highlighting the importance of consistent water supply for growth and overwintering success. These results indicate that supplemental water is an important consideration for sustaining culinary herb production on extensive green roofs with the increasingly hot and dry conditions provided under the climate change scenarios projected for cities currently having temperate climates

OPTIMIZING DEMAND RESPONSE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY INTEGRATION IN SMART HOMES: AN ILLINOIS CASE STUDY

This research evaluates the applicability of distributed energy resources (DERs) utilization for a residential customer and its effectiveness in reducing energy costs. In this case, a full year of hourly estimates for wind speed, ambient temperature, solar radiation, and electricity consumption are developed with a forecasting model based on artificial neural networks (ANN). The proposed methodology is assessed through a real-life example in Herrin, Illinois. The optimization model combines DER elements of solar electric panels, micro wind turbines, battery storage, and household appliances that incorporate demand response technologies. The model attempts to reduce the cost of energy while maintaining a reliable power supply and operational requirements. The optimization problem is formulated as mixed integer linear programming (MILP) and Gurobi is used as the tool to solve it.An optimized DER system was able to reduce annual energy costs by 29%. Based on the cost and benefit analysis considering initial investment, component lifetime, and other financial elements, a payback period of approximately four years is expected. Though promising, the accuracy of ANN-based forecasting does not come easily, especially with cost savings expectations in regard to wind speed predictions. This study demonstrates the applicability of DER integration in smart homes. Future studies in this area can focus on improving the electric vehicles model, improving the forecast model, and considering uncertainties in the analysis. It will improve the applicability of the solutions and lead to more realistic results

BEYOND THE HEADSTONES: A GEOPHYSICAL STUDY OF THE GARRISSON HILL CEMETERY REALOCATION.

The historical nature and documented relocations of burials at Garrison Hill Cemetery at Fort Kaskaskia Historic Site in Randolph County, Illinois, motivate this thesis\u27s exploration of the underlying composition of the cemetery. Although official records state that all human remains were relocated from the town of Old Kaskaskia to the new site, evidence suggests that some may have been left behind, raising the question of whether the remains were truly moved or if only their headstones were relocated.The study collected and analyzed geophysical data from five grids around the Garrison Hill cemetery. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data indicated subsurface anomalies associated with degraded and structured burials. Magnetometer data revealed further disturbances consistent with ferrous objects, possibly related to burial artifacts. These discoveries verified the presence of elements consistent with what is expected from a cemetery with interments, confirming that the remains were moved with the headstones. Socioeconomic and religious aspects of the cemetery\u27s organization were also analyzed using data from the geophysical study. The findings suggest that graves associated with individuals of higher social standing tend to have greater durability and archaeological visibility. This study contributes to the field of historic cemetery studies by demonstrating the utility of combining geophysical techniques and historical information to investigate historical cemeteries non-invasively. The findings improve our understanding about the past of Garrison Hill Cemetery but also contribute to showcase how to conduct similar investigations worldwide

Scholarly Program Notes for Songs of Love & Loss

This document presents the extended program notes for the graduate voice recital of Mr. Seth A. Tanner which took place on March 1, 2025 in the Old Baptist Foundation recital hall at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. These extended program notes also contain the program of repertoire performed at the recital in addition to the texts of all pieces with translations for those non-English songs. The repertoire list includes operatic arias from the Baroque and late Romantic periods, and art songs from the late Romantic period, early 20th century, and mid 20th century. The repertoire is representative of a diverse sampling of composers from many nations, including Germany, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom. Program notes for each piece include a brief biography of the composer and their style, background details of the piece, and a musical or poetic analysis of each song with examples from the score. The recital’s theme is “Songs of Love & Loss.” These two emotions hold sway over all of humanity, and each song bears a connection to that theme. The first set on the program is comprised of two Italian-language pieces: the aria “Tu sei il cor” from Handel’s Giulio Cesare, and Nebbie by Ottorino Respighi. Second is a set of two pieces from Gustav Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn: “Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt” and “Lob des hohen Verstands.” This is immediately followed by a set of two songs on the theme of sleep, one in Russian (“Come, let us rest!” By Sergei Rachmaninoff), one in Ukrainian (“Dark Dreams” by Nestor Nyzhankivsky). A brief pause separates the two halves of the recital, followed by “Votre toast” (the Toreador’s Song) from Georges Bizet’s Carmen and Francis Poulenc’s Le Bestiare. To conclude the recital is a presentation of Gerald Finzi’s Let Us Garlands Brin

Assessing the Effectiveness and Value of Information on Southern Illinois University Carbondale\u27s Center for Education\u27s (CIE) Website

Abstract The internationalization of higher education has grown significantly over the past three decades, with international students playing a crucial role in fostering academic, cultural, and economic development in host countries. University websites are pivotal in supporting international student mobility, serving as primary sources of information during the decision-making process. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Center for International Education (CIE) website at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) in disseminating information and providing a positive user experience for international students. The study examines factors influencing website usability, such as content clarity, website architecture, user interface design, and accessibility. Using a mixed-methods approach, current international students at SIUC were surveyed to assess their perceptions of the CIE website’s functionality and their experiences in accessing key information. Findings from the study reveal critical areas for improvement, including content visibility, ease of navigation, and the provision of multilingual support. The results underscore the importance of user-centric website design and the inclusion of features like virtual tours, interactive tools, and mobile-friendly interfaces to enhance usability. By addressing the challenges faced by international students, the study provides actionable recommendations to optimize the CIE website’s performance, improve the dissemination of information, and foster a more inclusive and supportive online environment. These enhancements are vital for attracting, retaining, and supporting international students, ultimately contributing to the global reputation and success of the university